McHenry County Blog

Wheeler Passes Life Saving Legislation

Springfield, IL… There is a new mammogram controversy, and State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) wants to protect women from hard to detect breast cancer.

Women with dense breast tissue are four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer, yet mammograms have a hard time detecting cancer in this type of tissue.

In response, Rep. Wheeler passed Senate Bill 2314, which will require doctors to explain in layman’s terms the meaning and consequences of “dense breast tissue.”

“This is a growing concern for woman. Early detection is the most effective way to survive breast cancer, yet doctors do not have clear standards to explain what ‘dense breast tissue’ is,” said Wheeler. “We need to be giving women every tool to save their lives from this awful disease.”

There are many reasons why doctors are not currently explaining this common, yet risk-filled problem.

The most effective way to detect breast cancer in dense tissue is through an MRI or ultrasound, which can add significant cost to cancer screening.

These tests are typically reserved for woman with a high risk of breast cancer, which can cause a sense of fear among those who are recommended to have additional testing.

Regardless, Wheeler believes lifesaving information trumps the potential fear and cost.

“My bill simply requires doctors to explain to women the risks and consequences of dense tissue, leaving the option of further tests up to the patient,” said Wheeler.

“The more information women have about their potential risks, the better chances they have at lifesaving treatment.”

SB 2314 has passed both legislative bodies and is now on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

Monday, September 10th, a note arrived in the mailboxes of women in the 52nd State Representative District.

That’s where Dee Beaubien (Ind.-Madigan) is running against Republican David McSweeney.

The note is from McSweeney’s wife Margaret.

You can see it below:

Margaret McSweeney reveals that she has breast cancer in the letter.

A statement from Republican State Rep. candidate Dave McSweeney:

A Personal Statement from David McSweeney

The real star of the McSweeney campaign is my wife Margaret.

She is the love of my life and my best friend.

She is a great mother to our two girls, an outstanding community leader and the kindest person that I’ve ever met.

We very recently received news that Margaret has breast cancer.  The McSweeneys are fighters and we’re going to wage an aggressive effort to make her well.

I’m making this announcement because I think that it’s important for public servants to be completely straightforward with their constituents.

I’m honored to be the Republican nominee for the 52nd District and I want to assure the people of this area that, with Margaret’s full support, I’m going to continue to aggressively move forward with my campaign.

Margaret’s recent experience has also provided an opportunity to once again remind the public of the importance of mammograms and early detection in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Margaret, our girls and I thank our many friends and supporters for their strong expressions of support and prayers during this difficult time.

We’ll face major battles over the next few months, but we’re fully committed to victory on all fronts.

= = = = =

Dee Beaubien is seeking petition signatures to challenge McSweeney as an Independent.

I was shopping at the Super-Walmart in Crystal Lake when I saw this license plate.

It is a Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation Illinois plate with the word

on it.

It’s owner was coming back to the vehicle while I was thinking about taking a photo, so I asked for and was given permission.

Then I noticed this tattoo on her leg.

A pink ribbon which says,

She gave me permission to take it, too.

Finally, my eyes alighted on the Rose on the side rear window and asked her about it. Turns out her son gave it to her, complete with her name, Karin.

I was shopping at the Super-Walmart in Crystal Lake when I saw this license plate.

It is a Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation Illinois plate with the word

on it.

It’s owner was coming back to the vehicle while I was thinking about taking a photo, so I asked for and was given permission.

Then I noticed this tattoo on her leg.

A pink ribbon which says,

She gave me permission to take it, too.

Finally, my eyes alighted on the Rose on the side rear window and asked her about it. Turns out her son gave it to her, complete with her name, Karin.

In this final of five installments, Democratic Party coroner candidate and cancer survivor Dave Bachmann tells about how he will emphasize cancer awareness education in his campaign.

However as life goes, at times, we get caught up in the day to day things..especially in Politics.

Without making any political statements because I have never personally met Mr. Louis Bianchi, but I need to say this, please.

I watched Mr. Bianchi keep his class and dignity about himself while under political fire these past months.

I was so touched by this “reminder” of how I need to keep perspective in my own race, I sent him a note of thanks for being that “feather” in my life at the right time. We are usually touched by “feathers” as reminders to take a good look at ourselves, BEFORE, the “Hammer” hits us!

I was somehow “touched” to dedicate my campaign and share my very personal story, which I have never revealed in such depth in public.

I now know why I am still alive.

In just one short week of adding my Breast and Cervical Cancer awareness campaign to my blog, I am again, finding a Miracle of love and hope from people I have never met before, nationwide!

What a blessing this journey has been for me and continues to be. I hope I’m flooded with letters from all over the world that I can share, and hold close to my heart.

I lost my mother to breast cancer October 16, 2006.

My sister Paula Muntzenberger just had a double mastectomy, my cousin from McHenry, Mary Beth Ong, fought her fight with Breast Cancer in the past couple of years, she is in her 40′s and is doing well.

I just found out this last week, that my cousin’s wife from Wheaten, just had a mastectomy from breast cancer at age 39.

My greatest hope is that everybody reading my story, becomes a “hypochondriac” for a day, and gets tested. It just might be the day you can say saved your life!

God Bless and thank you for sharing your stories with me.

Please visit my blog page for important links and information.

David J. Bachmann
www.bachreview.blogspot.com

I am attaching Courtney Lercara’s web site Pink Wings for all to see.

Previous stories can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 4 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

In this final of five installments, Democratic Party coroner candidate and cancer survivor Dave Bachmann tells about how he will emphasize cancer awareness education in his campaign.

However as life goes, at times, we get caught up in the day to day things..especially in Politics.

Without making any political statements because I have never personally met Mr. Louis Bianchi, but I need to say this, please.

I watched Mr. Bianchi keep his class and dignity about himself while under political fire these past months.

I was so touched by this “reminder” of how I need to keep perspective in my own race, I sent him a note of thanks for being that “feather” in my life at the right time. We are usually touched by “feathers” as reminders to take a good look at ourselves, BEFORE, the “Hammer” hits us!

I was somehow “touched” to dedicate my campaign and share my very personal story, which I have never revealed in such depth in public.

I now know why I am still alive.

In just one short week of adding my Breast and Cervical Cancer awareness campaign to my blog, I am again, finding a Miracle of love and hope from people I have never met before, nationwide!

What a blessing this journey has been for me and continues to be. I hope I’m flooded with letters from all over the world that I can share, and hold close to my heart.

I lost my mother to breast cancer October 16, 2006.

My sister Paula Muntzenberger just had a double mastectomy, my cousin from McHenry, Mary Beth Ong, fought her fight with Breast Cancer in the past couple of years, she is in her 40′s and is doing well.

I just found out this last week, that my cousin’s wife from Wheaten, just had a mastectomy from breast cancer at age 39.

My greatest hope is that everybody reading my story, becomes a “hypochondriac” for a day, and gets tested. It just might be the day you can say saved your life!

God Bless and thank you for sharing your stories with me.

Please visit my blog page for important links and information.

David J. Bachmann
www.bachreview.blogspot.com

I am attaching Courtney Lercara’s web site Pink Wings for all to see.

Previous stories can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 4 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

The Northwest Herald’s Kevin Craver covered the McHenry County Board’s Management Services Committee meeting Friday.

Guess what?

The animal control folks have enough money to do what they wanted to do at the Crytal Lake Route 14 former State Farm Insurance building…without the extra $773,000 the county board rejected at its last meeting.

The article says County Administrator Pete Austin observed,

“It’s not ideal – we knew it wouldn’t be ideal at this point – but it’s workable.”

And without a McHenry County Republican Cat Tax.

Imagine that.

Here are a couple of the cutbacks Craver gives:

• “$27,000 by reducing aesthetic millworking” and
• “using county staff instead of subcontractors for installing the kennels and landscape watering system.”

There will be enough space for 103 cats and 60 dogs.

And room for a Crystal Lake Health Department outpost for people, too.

According to the NW Herald,

Barbara Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake, does not want to see the health annex shortchanged, especially since the county has applied for a grant to fund breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income women.

= = = = =

The picture at the top is Pete Austin, McHenry County Administrator. At the bottom is McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler.

The Northwest Herald’s Kevin Craver covered the McHenry County Board’s Management Services Committee meeting Friday.

Guess what?

The animal control folks have enough money to do what they wanted to do at the Crytal Lake Route 14 former State Farm Insurance building…without the extra $773,000 the county board rejected at its last meeting.

The article says County Administrator Pete Austin observed,

“It’s not ideal – we knew it wouldn’t be ideal at this point – but it’s workable.”

And without a McHenry County Republican Cat Tax.

Imagine that.

Here are a couple of the cutbacks Craver gives:

• “$27,000 by reducing aesthetic millworking” and
• “using county staff instead of subcontractors for installing the kennels and landscape watering system.”

There will be enough space for 103 cats and 60 dogs.

And room for a Crystal Lake Health Department outpost for people, too.

According to the NW Herald,

Barbara Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake, does not want to see the health annex shortchanged, especially since the county has applied for a grant to fund breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income women.

= = = = =

The picture at the top is Pete Austin, McHenry County Administrator. At the bottom is McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler.